#section hiking

On September 3, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act into law. This law created the National Wilderness Preservation System to protect undeveloped land, "retaining its primeval character and influence" with "outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation." The Wilderness Act remains one of the world's longest standing acts of legislation for wilderness. The Act has been noticed by other countries as a way to protect their own wild places, biodiversity and ecosystems. No small testament to the power of protecting our most wild places not just in the United States but throughout the world.

Near Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness

It seems to me that if you have thru hiked the Pacific Crest Trail sights and sounds, landmarks and monuments get seen, heard, passed through and in some cases passed over. Section hikers on the other hand may have a similar experience to thru hikers but likely given the nature of sectioning may allow for lingering longer along the way.

Whether or not you are or know a thru hiker or you are or know a section hiker did you know the Pacific Crest Trail passes through fifty wilderness areas (both federal and state). More than any other National Scenic Trail in the United States. From fifteen identified wilderness areas in 1964 to fifty today, sixty years later, the importance of these lands is obvious. Acknowledging and protecting these spaces really hits anyone who has the opportunity to visit and/or pass through. Here are a some that you may have visited or heard about from south to north on the PCT; Hauser, Anza-Borrego, John Muir, Desolation, Marble Mountain, Three Sisters, Goat Rocks, and Pasayten.

Across three states these wilderness areas are a tribute to the importance of protecting large forests and watersheds that together help combat climate change. These spaces not only offer safe refuges for threatened plants and animals but offer a gateway for humans to connect more deeply with nature. Finally, many wilderness areas intersect and envelope indigenous peoples' ancestral lands. Taking into account the treasure these spaces hold as homelands for these native people.

Sixty years on the Wilderness Act is a shining piece of legislation that has evolved over six decades. As time as gone by the protected lands have grown from 9.1 million acres to over 111 million acres. The Pacific Crest Trail has enjoyed a great benefit thanks to the Wilderness Act.

I’m exhausted. The hardest part for me was Dragon’s Tooth. It kicked my ass on Day 1. Is it hard scrambling while pushing and pulling a 50 lb dog up a rock wall for almost a mile? Very. And scary (don’t look down or you’ll fall off). The AT trail out from Dragon’s Tooth was hard too (it was all hard and constantly terrifying) because it was scrambling and bouldering along the top ridge of a mountain with a pack on and my dog with his pack on. Overall, it had its ups and downs (get it) and at most times, it was intense (pun intended). I hurt all over and want to sleep forever.

By Howard Shapiro

Last August I finished the PCT. I finished it with the two friends/brothers I started it with. Finishing the PCT is done by many people every year. 2020 is proving a unique kind of year in so many ways and as a result not so many may complete the trail this year. For me, 2019 was magic and its magical qualities have only gotten better looking back and being here now. 

You see, I began hiking the PCT in 1981 with my partners, friends, and brothers, Rees Hughes and Jim Peacock. We hiked north from the Columbia River to Rainy Pass. None of us knew how the PCT would get into our hearts and under our skin. Life being what it is, with numerous changes and challenges, turned out to be all that and more for all three of us. None of us was married at that time much less even imagined or considered fatherhood. We were twenty somethings recently embarked in careers and further education. Over the years we found ourselves pulled back to the trail. 

By the mid- 80′s Jim had moved to Maine, while Rees was now in Northern California. I was the only one still in Washington State. Not letting a little geography get in the way we were determined to carve out some time to meet up and attempt another section together. We reconvened the first time since our initial trip, in central Oregon in 1991. From there our efforts continued off and on over the years. During this time we each got married, had kids, and continued to grow in our careers. Not knowing what the future held we decided that ‘cherry picking’ the PCT made the most sense. In other words we chose those sections that held the most bang for the buck given how spread out we were, how limited our time was, and how unsure we were of the time we could really spend doing this. Our desire was doing more PCT but not necessarily finishing it. 

Over the years we kept coming back. Rees would usually be the spark that would ignite our interests. He would suggest, “How about the Trinity’s? They will be gorgeous!” Or “What about the JMT? Seems like that is the next logical step.” As time unfolded it became clearer just how big California is and how much there was to walk and see there. Over many years we tromped over high Sierra passes, and walked through mountain streams, and saw our lives flash before us in some particularly memorable high Sierra thunderstorms. Maybe it was just the flash of lightning...no, it was our lives and then the flash of lightning. Slowly, or so it seemed, we chipped away at the PCT. Most times the three of us hiked together. Other times two of us would take on a section. The best times were when we could all be together. 

These times together have been the definition of simpatico. We so easily find our rhythm shaped over years and miles. Our conversations are often profound and seasoned with laughter. Equal to the scenery and surroundings it has been these conversations and laughs that  brought us back over and over again. Of all the gifts that are delivered by walking the PCT the shared experiences with my partners has been memorable, outstanding, and life affirming. 

As I read this back, I sound like I am gushing. Well to be honest, I am. Since 1981 and all the way to 2019 aside from family and career, it is clear to me that without making and taking the time to walk together and alone on the PCT, how I experience myself would be quite different. I would not necessarily be less of the person I am today but different. Less comfortable in the mountains. Less comfortable with my ability to face life’s many challenges. Less reflective about where I am and what I am doing and want to do with my life. For all  that, I am humbly grateful. I  feel so fortunate to have Jim and Rees to walk with all these years later. Along the way I have been joined by other friends and family. Bruce, Billie, Doug, Brad, Amy, Chisa, my wife Kathy and our daughter Emily, they have all shared a piece of my journey. 

As we look back on 60 years since the passage of the Wilderness Act and the half century plus of a recognized Pacific Crest Trail it brings to mind a concept a friend shared with me recently. As we were talking the idea of a renter's mentality vs. an owner's mentality came up. This is a concept that has numerous applications to be sure. Using the context of the PCT I found this concept really struck a chord with me.

I have, and maybe you have too, heard the tales of clusters of TP just off the trail and near campsites along the PCT. You have probably also heard about the proliferation of campsites that are not in designated areas or too near sensitive ones. Many of us have heard the phrase, "We are loving this, that, or the next thing to death." Is it love or something like not caring near enough?

Many people venture out and walk all or parts of the PCT every year. Since the publication of Cheryl Strayed's 'Wild' the numbers have exploded into what is referred to as "the Wild Effect". For so many it is the beginning or a continuation of a love affair with nature and the out of doors. So much so that it could be likened to the birth of an owner's mentality.

Having an owner's mentality informs the way one chooses to treat and respect something important enough to recognize its value over the long term. There is a felt investment in the overall care and wellbeing of this entity. Obviously the Crest trail is an eco entity. It lives, breaths, and reflects an importance for preserving and protecting. No, you and I, if you claim any kind of ownership to it, don't hold a deed or bill of sale. What we do have is a collective set of memories, feelings, and experiences that give us the agency to respect it like we are owners. To recognize its value and treat it with respect and loving care.

Renters, on the other hand take a different view. They have little to no investment in the upkeep and well being of the PCT. They happily have used it, made memories, had experiences on it, and not had any kind of mindfulness for its long term value to the next person or generation. A renter's mentality is at best, short term. Being short term it makes little to no difference how one leaves it. Someone else (the 'landlord') will fix it. A renter's mentality is not hard to understand it is just challenging to accept.

For a dedicated thru or even section hiker there can be a 'one and done' approach to walking the Pacific Crest Trail. For more and more people it is a third of a 'Triple Crown' experience. To me, that is fantastic. What an accomplishment! It is especially fantastic if we embrace the owner's mentality. Some of us may never set foot on the PCT ever again but it remains, stretching from Canada to Mexico and Mexico to Canada. The PCT doesn't disappear if enough owners claim it as their own. As owner's we sing the praises of a PCT experience. We hold dear the sights and sounds we encountered on the trail. We acknowledge the strangers that became our friends and friends that became our brothers and sisters. Owners take responsibility for the longterm health and upkeep of trail. Owner's hope to pass it on and on and on.

As owners we can't control for fires, droughts, floods, etc. but we can convey to anyone who wants to listen and see that ownership is not exclusive. All that is required is some basic caring with a dose of thoughtfulness thrown in. So, which do you have? A renter's or owner's mentality? You can go from owner to renter and renter to owner without much effort. It lies in your willingness to or lack of willingness to step up or out for the PCT. Which do you have?